GABRIEL OKARA was the first African poet to break free of rhyme schemes by Nengi Owei Ilagha
his argument being that people do not ordinarily go about speaking in rhymes. Every day speech has no borders, and poetry should be without restrictive borders. For that reason, Okara is rated as the first African poet of modernist expression in world literature.
This small book is my humble tribute to a fatherly figure whose example I followed, a leading light in the hallway of Nigerian letters. It spells out my privileged interaction with the oldest published poet of African descent, a minstrel of iconic renown whose work deserves all the celebration it can get.
Coming up for public presentation on Saturday February 12, 2022, at the Ernest Ikoli Press Center, Yenagoa.
Book reviewer: Dr Charles Feghabo,, Department of English & Literary Studies, Niger Delta University.
Special Guest of Honour: His Excellency Senator Douye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa State.
You are welcome…
